Strawberry plant named Cartuno

ABSTRACT

A strawberry plant producing nearly conical fruit of even red coloration and having inflorescence above the foliage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of strawberry was created in a breeding program by mycrossing two parents from among a group of seedlings which were obtainedfrom a free pollenization of 32 different varieties and seedlings; inparticular, by crossing as seed parent a variety designated 86-184 andas pollen parent a variety designated 86-175. Both parents areunpatented, proprietary varieties which have not been commercialized.

The resulting seedling of the new variety was grown and asexuallypropagated by stolens in Seria, Spain. Clones of the new variety werefurther asexually propagated and extensively tested. This propagationand testing has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosedherein which characterize the new variety are fixed and retained true totype through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety.The varietal denomination of the new variety is `Cartuno`. Among thecharacteristics which distinguish the new variety from other varietiesof which I am aware are a combination of traits which includeinflorescence above foliage and near conical even colored red fruit.

COMPARISON TO CLOSEST VARIETY

The variety which I believe to be closest to `Cartuno` from those knownto me is the variety `Chandler` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,262). Thecharacteristics of the new variety that are different from, or notpossessed by, `Chandler` include: less plant vigor, darker green foliagecoloration where leaves bunch and near conical fruit of lighter color,smoother surface and firmer fruit. Other characteristics of `Chandler`may be found in the aforementioned plant patent for this variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety,including fruit, foliage and flower, in color as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in color illustrations of this character.

Two illustrations show typical fruit in cross section illustrating thetypical flesh and flesh coloration and almost conical shape;

Another illustration shows the fruit and foliage (note that 89-33-018refers to the new variety);

A fourth illustration shows the flower and reproductive organs of thenew variety; and

A fifth illustration shows the top and undersurface of a typical folioleof the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based uponobservations taken of plants and fruit grown "underglass", i.e.,undertunnel, in the farm of La Mogalla in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain. Thisdescription is in accordance with UPOV terminology and the colorterminology herein is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart (R.H.S.C.C.) and the color descriptions refer to platenumbers in the aforementioned color chart. Color designations, colordescriptions and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from thestated values and descriptions depending upon variation inenvironmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions.

PROPAGATION

The new variety is principally propagated by way of stolens. Althoughpropagation by stolens is presently preferred, other known methods ofpropagating strawberry plants may be employed. It has been determinedthat the plants root well after transplanting.

The following additional information is provided to further describe thenew variety.

Plant:

Habit.--Globose.

Density.--Medium.

Vigor.--Medium.

Height.--About 25 cm.

Width.--About 26 cm.

Foliage:

Leaf.--Color: Upper side -- near 137A. Underside -- near 138C. CrossSection: Slightly concave. Blistering: Medium texture or rugosity.Number of leaflets: Only three.Length: About 11 cm. Width: About 13 cm.

Terminal leaflet (length to width ratio).--Longer than broad; Length --About 7 cm, Width -- About 6 cm.

Terminal leaflet (shape of base).--Rounded.

Terminal leaflet (shape of teeth).--Obtuse.

Petiole.--Pose of hairs: Outwards; Length -- About 10 cm.

Stipules.--Anthocyanin coloration: Medium.

Stolens.--Number: Medium. Anthocyanin coloration: Weak (light).Thickness: Medium. Pubescence: Weak.

Flower:

Size.--Large; Primary -- About 4 cm; Secondary -- About 3 cm.

Size of calyx relative to corolla.--Larger.

Size of inner calyx relative to outer.--Same size.

Spacing of petals.--Overlapping.

Petal length to width ratio.--Broader than long.

Petal color.--White.

Separation of the petals of flowers with 5 or 6 petals.--Overlappingeach other.

Fruiting truss.--Attitude (at first picking): Erect.

Inflorescence relative to foliage.--Above foliage.

Fruit:

Ratio of length to maximum width.--Longer than broad.

Size.--Large; Primary fruit -- Length about 6 cm, Width about 4 cm;Secondary fruit -- Length about 4.5 cm, Width about 3 cm.

Predominant shape.--Near conical.

Difference in shapes between primary and secondary fruits.--Slight.

Band without achenes.--Absent or very narrow.

Unevenness of surface.--Weak.

Color.--Near 42B, orange red.

Evenness of color.--Even.

Glossiness.--Strong.

Insertion of achenes.--Below surface.

Insertion of calyx.--Level.

Pose of the calyx segments.--Reflexed.

Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.--Larger.

Adherence of calyx.--Medium.

Firmness.--Firm.

Color of flesh.--Near 42B to 44B, medium red.

Evenness of color of the flesh.--Even.

Sweetness.--Medium.

Acidity.--Weak.

Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).--Medium.

Time of ripening (50% of plants with ripe fruits).--Medium.

Type of bearing.--Not remontant.

Chilling.--Medium.

Fruiting (La Mogalla, Spain).--For plants planted Oct. 21, 10% floweringoccurs about Dec. 20 with first mature fruit about Feb. 9 and maturity(15-20 gm/plant) about Feb. 18.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry, substantially asshown and described.